George Clooney through the years

Clooney got his start in TV, appearing in shows like the short-lived sitcom "E/R," "Roseanne," "Hotel," "The Golden Girls" and "Facts of Life" in the mid-to-late-1980s.

One of the earliest roles he's known for is 1988's B-movie sequel "Return of the Killer Tomatoes!"

He continued getting small parts in TV shows until he landed the role of Dr. Doug Ross in the NBC drama "ER." The role launched him to fame and he spent nearly five years on the show before leaving in 1999.

Even while acting on "ER," Clooney found time to try his hand at movies, starting with 1996's vampire flick "From Dusk Till Dawn."

As one of his moonlighting roles, Clooney had the misfortune of starring in 1997's widely reviled "Batman & Robin," better known for the bat suit's nipples and cod piece than any of its acting.